Fruit sorting and box filling device

ABSTRACT

A device for grading fruits according to their sizes and for gently depositing them in a container. The fruits are picked up in a reservoir by a conveyor belt. The fruits larger than a predetermined size are then deposited in horizontal carriers moving continuously on an endless chain. At a position of transfer, the fruits in the horizontal carriers are deposited in a vertical carrier which deposit them in a container.

United States Patent 72] Inventors Roger Goudreau 5342 De Repentigny, Montreal; Jean-Jacques Jobin, 6259 Louis Hemon, Montreal; Fernand Goudreau, 3247 Du Maire, St. Michel; Yvon Roy, 5312 Paimpol, St. Leonard; Luigi Vaccaro, 7270 Vannes, St. Leonard, all of, Canada 21 Appl. No. 817,351

{22] Filed Apr. 18, 1969 [45] Patented July 6, 1971 [32] Priority Apr. 20, 1968 [33] Canada [54} FRUIT SORTING AND BOX FILLING DEVICE 13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 209/73,

209/84, 209/102, 53/248 [51] Int. Cl B07c l/14 [50] Field of Search 209/92,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,665 8/1929 Moe 53/248 X 1,744,363 1/1930 Chapman 53/248 (UX) 2,821,828 2/1958 Kemen, .Ir. 53/245 Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney-Raymond A. Robic ABSTRACT: A device for grading fruits according to their sizes and for gently depositing them in a container. The fruits are picked up in a reservoir by a conveyor belt. The fruits larger than a predetermined size are then deposited in horizontal carriers moving continuously on an endless chain. At a position of transfer, the fruits in the horizontal carriers are deposited in a vertical carrier which deposit them in a container.

PATENTEU JUL 6 I9?! SHEET 1 BF 5 INVENTORS Roger GOUDREAU Jean-Jacques JOBIN Fernond GOUDREAU Yvon ROY Luigi VACCARO PATENTEUJUL sum 3590 994 SHEET 2 OF 5 Jean-Jacques JOBIN Fernand GOUDREAU Yv on ROY Luigi VACC D PATENTEB JUL SIB?! 3,590,994

sum 3 [IF 5 INVE/VTURS 0 er GOUDREAU eon-Jacques JOBIN Fernund GOUDREAU Yvon ROY Luigi VACCARO PATENTEDJUL elsn 3.590.994

SHEET L; []F 5 [NVENTORS Roger GOUDREAU Jean-Jacques JOBIN Fernund GOUDREAU Yv on ROY Luigi VACCARD ATTORNEY PATENTEU JUL 6 I971 3; 590 994 RRRRRRRRRRR AU BIN nnnnnnnnnnnnn AU Luigi AAAAA R0 FRUIT SORTING AND BOX FILLING DEVICE The present invention is directed to a device for grading fruits according to their sizes and for filling appropriate containers without bruising the fruits.

During the crop, fruit picking causes many problems. One of these problems consists in the manipulation of the fruits. The harvesting period is usually short and the demand for labor is pressing although periodical. Most of the employees are therefore unexperienced in the manipulation of fruits. These fruits are first placed in any type of container and then emptied in huge containers. This operation is usually done without care which causes the bruises on the fruits.

Furthermore, it happens frequently that no grading of the selected fruits is made prior to the warehousing thereof because labor is too expensive. This requires a considerable storing space which is not always available nor cheap. For a more rational and ordinate use of such spaces, it would be useful to make a preselection and a prcclassification so as to enable the fruits to be stored according to their categories, their quantities and their qualities. This subdivision of the fruits before a plurality of producers have placed their crop in common enables each one of them to have a good knowledge of his exact contribution, while at the present time, this contribution is known only at the end of the storing period. Such storing would also enable to plan a more adequate sale and delivery program, especially in the localities where the storing and sale periods extend over more than six months.

The main object of the invention is to reduce considerably the bruises on the fruits while permitting a selection according to their sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which enables the grading of fruits in the orchard or in a warehouse.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which would be light so as to be pulled by a small farm tractor.

Another object of the invention consists in the realization of the new embodiment at a cost available to small orchard Owners. I

Another object of the invention consists in the assembly ofa plurality of the new devices so as to increase the speed of the selection of the fruits.

Another object of the invention consists of an embodiment having a simple but strong mechanism being actuated by conventional actuating means.

Another object of the invention consists in enabling fruit pickers to visualize and remove the unwanted fruits.

Another object of the invention consists in the selecting of the fruits according to their circumference.

Another object of the present invention consists in the transportation of a larger number of fruits so as to obtain a faster sorting.

Further objects and advantages will become more apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. l is an elevation view ofa preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a partial elevation view of the vertical carrier of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line IIl-lll of FIG. 2;

FIG. 41 is a partial elevation view of the assembly of a pulley and a pinion in a disengaging position;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the horizontal carriers including a circumferential sorting device;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the circumferential sorting device;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view illustrating an assembly of three sorting devices.

The fruit pickers empty the bucket full of fruit in a reservoir 1 which is filled with water. The bottom and inner walls of the reservoir I are preferably covered with a soft material such as foam rubber in order to absorb the shocks and prevent bruises.

A conveyor belt 2 picks up the fruits in the reservoir 1 and brings them to the horizontal carrier 3. The conveyor belt 2 is made of rubber and is provided with a plurality of transverse rows of rods 4 projecting perpendicularly to the direction of the conveyor belt 2. The spacing between the rows of the rods 4 corresponds to the spacing between the carriers 3. The lower end of the conveyor belt 2 is adapted to lie in the reservoir 1 so that the rods 4 may pick up the fruits. The speed of the belt 2 and the carriers 3 are synchronized by a transmission system which includes a chain 5 and a pinion 12. Railings (not shown) are provided on each side of the conveyor belt 2 to prevent the fruits from falling along the edges thereof. The fruits, floating on the surface of the fluid in the reservoir 1 are projected by water jets towards the belt conveyor -2 and then picked up by the rods 41.

When a row of fruits reaches the separating plate 6, the fruit rotates by gravity towards the carriers 3. The plate 6, which is covered by a foam rubber material or the like is slotted so as to permit the passage of the rods 4.

On the other hand, the bumper 9 made of a resilient material, is used to stop the fruit in their forward movement and to deflect them smoothly into the carriers 3 integrally supported by a conveyor chain 10. Each horizontal carrier 3 is made of substantially rigid material and essentially comprises two side parts mounted in scissors arrangement and covered on their inner surface with a foam rubber material or the like. The two parts forming the horizontal carrier 3 are normally dispose to leave a slot therebetween having a predetermined width through which the small fruits may pass. These small fruits touches the resilient deflector 7 and rotates towards the conduit 8 slightly inclined so that the too small fruits will be rejected and fall into a container. These small fruits are usually not intended for storing.

The ends of the two side parts forming the carrier 3 cross each other so as to form a scissorslike motion when the width of the slot at the bottom of the carriers 3 need to be varied.

The conveyor chain 10 is horizontally guided by rails 11 along the upper and lower horizontal path of the endless track. The rails 11 are made of nylon or the like to reduce the wear of the chain while permitting a smooth operation.

The diameter of the pinions 17 and 35 are such that, in a complete revolution, a predetermined number of horizontal carriers 3 will be in a position to empty their fruit content in a vertical carrier 13. The conveyor chain 10 carries the horizontal carriers 3 at substantially equal distance from each other. These horizontal carriers are held to the chain by pins 14 which project laterally beyond the chain while simultaneously consisting of one of the axles for the chain 10.

The conveyor chain 10 are mounted over pinions l7 and 35 which are solidly fixed on shaft 18 supported by ball or roller bearings 19 and mounted on structure 33.

The device is mounted over a rigid supporting structure 20 having preferably a rectangular shape.

The structure 20 is made so as to enable the coupling of a plurality of such grading devices so as to subdivide the fruits into groups of various sizes.

When a predetermined number of horizontal carriers 3 are to be opened, the chain pinion 17, which is fixed to the shaft 18, has accomplished a rotation such that a projecting plate 21 on the pinion 17 engages a plunger 24 on the pulley 22 (FIG. 4). The pulleys 22 and 23 may freely rotate on their respective shafts 18. The pulley 22 is driven into rotation by the plunger 24; since the pulley 22 is connected to the pulley 23 by a cable 25, the rotations are made simultaneously and in a reverse direction on account of thefact that the cable 25 is crossed between the two pulleys; this brings into a pressure position tongues 26 which are integrally connected to the pulleys 22 and 23. The tongues 26 are provided with adjusting screws 27 so that the exerted pressure on a bar 28 is equal at both ends and simultaneous.

The opening bars 28 are suspended to the structure 60 by tension springs 34. While the pressure is exerted by the screws 27, the opening bars 28 exerts a vertical pressure on the upper part of the horizontal carrier 3 which is above the pin or pivoting point 14. This produces a predetermined opening of the slot of the said horizontal carriers 3. At this moment, the fruits fall into the vertical carrier B which is in its upper position, that is in a position of transfer.

A disengaging bar 29 is in contact with the plunger 24 and forces the latter to disengage the pulley 22 from its rotating movement and suppress the pressure on the opening bar 28. At this moment, the plunger 24 of the pulley 23 is in contact with the projecting plate ill of the pinion 35. A rotating movement in the reverse direction as the one mentioned above results in the lowering of the vertical carrier H3 in the direction of the container 511. This movement is controlled by pinion 117 and 35 and by the cables 31. These cables are guided by the pulleys 32.

The vertical distance which the vertical carrier l3 must travel to reach the bottom of the container 511, is equal to half the circumference of each ofthe pulleys 22 and 23.

The vertical carrier T3 is shaped so as to freely enter inside the container. it is made of a frame Alli inwhich pins 4M1 of the plates 39 are adapted to pivot. The apertures which receive the pins 414] are located in the upper part of the frame Illl (FIGS. 2 and 3). During the lowering movement, the vertical carrier 13 are guided by telescopic tubes d3, having one of its ends fixed to the main structure of the device and whose other end is loosely connected to the vertical carrier 113). Furthermore, the cables Elli forces the holding bars as to contact the upper part of the frame ll-ll due to the fact that the holding bars 356 are free to vertically slide inside the frame ll. The pins ilt) are solidly connected to the plates 39. When the lower part 419 of the carrier 113, which is covered with a material such as foam rubber, reaches the bottom of the container Sil, or the upper level of the fruits already in the container, the tension of the cables Bill which until then were holding the carrier l3 while also lowering them is then released. Springs Elli which exert a constant pressure on levers 3'7, forces the latter to be in constant contact with the holding bars 3b. When the tension is eliminated on the cables ill, the weight of the holding bars 3x6 and the force exerted on the levers 3V7 compels the holding bars an to vertically slide towards the bottom of the frame 4H1, liberating the plates B l and allowing them to open, since up to now they were held in a closed position by the holding bars 36. The plates 39 cannot open and discharge the fruits in the container if it has not reached the upper level of the fruits already inside the container. The levers 37', which are in a vertical position (PEG. 2), prevents the holding bars 36 to return to their initial position when the tension of the cable Bill will be applied in the upward direction. The reascending movement is initiated when the plunger Ml of the pulley 22 engages the projecting plate it of the pinion ll? so as to drive it into rotation. At this moment, the plates 39 which were not yet opened, progressively spreads while moving up, which allows the fruits which were still in the vertical carrier to be delicately deposited in the container instead of falling one over the other.

Before the vertical carrier E3 reaches the receiving position, the levers 37 comes in contact with the wedges 412 which makes it pivot. The holding bars 36 which are now free are actuated by the tension of the cables 31. They slide towards the upper part of the frame llll which closes the plates 39 and makes them ready for receiving other fruits.

The vertical carrier l3, has reached its receiving position and a complete cycle has now been explained.

Furthermore, the device may be provided with supplementary sorting members 50 which will enable to classify the fruits according to their circumferential size. These sorting members 50 are adapted to be mounted over the horizontal carriers 3 which has been already explained. The horizontal carriers are adapted to operate the circumferential sorting members 50. Each member Sill comprises a series of pallets Ml pivoting about a rod 415 having a regular polygonal shape. The pallets All are mounted so as to fit in one over the other. Each of the polygonal shape of the members is divided in four groups of pallets, each group having a master pallet. These master pallets arc in constant contact with the angularly movable side parts of the horizontal carrier 3 in such a manner that when the latter spreads in a predetermined position, the cross section of the frustum of the polygonal shapes widens propor tionally with the spreading of the sideplates of the horizontal carrier 3. This allows the selection of fruit having a selected diameter (FlGSl 5, 6 and 7).

In order to locate the container 51 and to center it relative to the carrier 1133, without hindering the good operation of the latter, two guiding projections 46 are fixed to the structure 20. These projections as are parallel and spaced so as to receive the width and the length of the container 51. On each end of these guiding projections as, are perpendicularly fixed stops 47. The stops 437 are disposed in such a way so that when the container 511 is engaged between the guiding projections 46, a pivoting movement of of the stops 47 immobilize the container in its receiving position. A conveyor 438 of the ball or roller type is located between the supporting structure 20 and the container so as to facilitate its positioning, the container being easily rolled thereover (FlG. l).

The structure 33 is shaped so that it may be coupled to adjacent ones (FIG. ill). Their individual mechanism allows to sort simultaneously a plurality of fruits according to different sizes and allows the carriers 13 to deposit and to spread them among various containers towards which the fruits are respectively directed. Whatever the number of the coupled devices, only one motor may be used to actuate in synchronism all the devices. Only a longer chain would have to be used. Each device will have an autonomous operation regarding the transfer of the fruits to the container regardless of the number of individual devices used. Furthermore, it would be the choice of the orchard owner to select conveyors instead of containers to bring the fruits into the boxes in which the fruits will be stored away (HO. 3).

We claim:

l. A device for sorting fruits and depositing them in containers, comprising:

means for sorting fruits of predetermined sizes;

a pair of spaced endless chains adapted to move in a vertical plane at a slow speed;

a plurality of horizontal carriers mounted at spaced intervals on the said chains for carrying the fruits towards at least one transfer position, the said horizontal carriers being pivotally suspended on and between the pair of chains for pivotal freedom about a horizontal transverse axis so that the carriers maintain their upright position throughout the movement ofthe chain;

means for opening the carriers at the transfer position; and

means for vertically carrying the fruits from the transfer position down into a container.

2. A device as recited in claim )1, wherein each carrier comprises a pair of elements mounted in a scissors-type of arrangement, and mechanical pressure means adapted to spread said elements from each other when the carrier passes over the vertical carrying means.

3. A device as recited in claim ll, comprising stopping and centering means for the containers to receive the fruits from the vertical carrying means.

i. A device as recited in claim 1, comprising means for picking the fruits from a reservoir and bringing them to the sorting means.

5 A device according to claim 4, in which the said picking means comprises a belt conveyor having projecting members thereon to pick the fruits in suspension in a liquid contained in the reservoir.

6. A device as recited in claim ll, in which the vertical carrying means are connected to the endless chains so that the latter produce an upright reciprocating movement of the vertical carrying means in the direction of the container.

7'. A device as recited in claim l, in which the endless chain is actuated by pinions fixed on shafts and adapted to be driven in rotation, a freely rotating pulley mounted on each one of the shafts, means for connecting the pulleys so as to produce a relative reverse rotation and to actuate the vertical carrying means in an upright reciprocating movement, and means for connecting the movement of the said pulleys and the said pinions.

8. A device as recited in claim 7, comprising two pulleys, the means to connect the two pulleys comprises crossed cables between the said pulleys, and cables directly connected between each pulley and the vertical carrying means for supporting the latter means.

9. A device as recited in claim 7, in which themeans to connect the pulleys to the pinions comprise plungers engaging projecting plates fixed relatively to the pulleys and to the pinions.

10. A device as recited in claim 7, in which the vertical carrying means comprises plates and means for closing and opening the said plates, the said closing means being directly connected to the tension of the cables supporting the vertical carrying means.

11. A device for sorting fruits and depositing them in containers, comprising:

means for sorting-fruits of predetermined sizes;

an endless chain adapted to move at a slow speed;

a plurality of horizontal carriers mounted at spaced intervals on the said chain, each horizontal carrier comprising a scissors-type device suspended from the endless chain and adapted to open when passing over the vertical carrying means at a transfer position, an opening bar located adjacent the endless chain above the vertical carrying means to open the scissors-type device proportionally through spacing between the said chain and the said bar; and

means for vertically carrying the fruits from the transfer position into a container.

12. A device as recited in claim 11, in which each horizontal carrier comprises funnel means having a variable diameter and mounted in the said horizontal carrier, the said horizontal carrier being adapted to vary the diameter of the said funnel means.

13. A device as recited in claim 12, in which the said funnel means comprise pallets pivotally mounted about an axle having a polygonal shape, the said pallets being disposed so as to engage the adjacent pallets the said pallets being divided in groups, in group having a master pallet which is actuated by the horizontal carrier the diameter of the said funnel means being proportional to the spreading of the horizontal carrier. 

1. A device for sorting fruits and depositing them in containers, comprising: means for sorting fruits of predetermined sizes; a pair of spaced endless chains adapted to move in a vertical plane at a slow speed; a plurality of horizontal carriers mounted at spaced interVals on the said chains for carrying the fruits towards at least one transfer position, the said horizontal carriers being pivotally suspended on and between the pair of chains for pivotal freedom about a horizontal transverse axis so that the carriers maintain their upright position throughout the movement of the chain; means for opening the carriers at the transfer position; and means for vertically carrying the fruits from the transfer position down into a container.
 2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein each carrier comprises a pair of elements mounted in a scissors-type of arrangement, and mechanical pressure means adapted to spread said elements from each other when the carrier passes over the vertical carrying means.
 3. A device as recited in claim 1, comprising stopping and centering means for the containers to receive the fruits from the vertical carrying means.
 4. A device as recited in claim 1, comprising means for picking the fruits from a reservoir and bringing them to the sorting means.
 5. A device according to claim 4, in which the said picking means comprises a belt conveyor having projecting members thereon to pick the fruits in suspension in a liquid contained in the reservoir.
 6. A device as recited in claim 1, in which the vertical carrying means are connected to the endless chains so that the latter produce an upright reciprocating movement of the vertical carrying means in the direction of the container.
 7. A device as recited in claim 1, in which the endless chain is actuated by pinions fixed on shafts and adapted to be driven in rotation, a freely rotating pulley mounted on each one of the shafts, means for connecting the pulleys so as to produce a relative reverse rotation and to actuate the vertical carrying means in an upright reciprocating movement, and means for connecting the movement of the said pulleys and the said pinions.
 8. A device as recited in claim 7, comprising two pulleys, the means to connect the two pulleys comprises crossed cables between the said pulleys, and cables directly connected between each pulley and the vertical carrying means for supporting the latter means.
 9. A device as recited in claim 7, in which the means to connect the pulleys to the pinions comprise plungers engaging projecting plates fixed relatively to the pulleys and to the pinions.
 10. A device as recited in claim 7, in which the vertical carrying means comprises plates and means for closing and opening the said plates, the said closing means being directly connected to the tension of the cables supporting the vertical carrying means.
 11. A device for sorting fruits and depositing them in containers, comprising: means for sorting fruits of predetermined sizes; an endless chain adapted to move at a slow speed; a plurality of horizontal carriers mounted at spaced intervals on the said chain, each horizontal carrier comprising a scissors-type device suspended from the endless chain and adapted to open when passing over the vertical carrying means at a transfer position, an opening bar located adjacent the endless chain above the vertical carrying means to open the scissors-type device proportionally through spacing between the said chain and the said bar; and means for vertically carrying the fruits from the transfer position into a container.
 12. A device as recited in claim 11, in which each horizontal carrier comprises funnel means having a variable diameter and mounted in the said horizontal carrier, the said horizontal carrier being adapted to vary the diameter of the said funnel means.
 13. A device as recited in claim 12, in which the said funnel means comprise pallets pivotally mounted about an axle having a polygonal shape, the said pallets being disposed so as to engage the adjacent pallets the said pallets being divided in groups, in group having a master pallet which is actuated by the horizontal carrier the diameter of the said funnel means being proportional to the spreadiNg of the horizontal carrier. 